It is located in Rayakottai, 30 Kms from Hosur & 75 Kms from Bangalore. Rayakottah is one of the protected historic monuments. Rayakottah is a hill fort which withstood the Mysore wars. It was a strategic fort for the British, who stationed at this fort till 1861. Rayakottah, which marks the border of Palaghat Plateau, is at a distance of 30 km from Hosur.

The fort is situated within the town of Rayakottai which is one of the ancient fortresses in the Krishnagiri district. It is now one of the protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India. In the 18th century Hyder Ali and Tipu sultan ruled this fort. The fort was captured by Major Gowdie during the third Anglo-Mysore War in 1791. According to the Treaty of Srirangapatna, this fort came into the hands of the British.The ramparts and the bastions of the fort are more or less intact. The fort is a protected monument. Trekking in this place is a wonderful experience.

Time to Visit: The cooler months of September to February are the best time to trek in Rayakottai as it can get very hot in summer days, and should be avoided. This trek can be done during monsoon also.

There is a temple on the hill which could be a point for having packet-lunch and to take rest in shade.

Please carry the following without fail while visiting this fort;

Ø 2 litres of water (Mandatory)

Ø Raincoat/Poncho (During monsoon)

Ø Cap/Hat

Ø High energy-giving food & drinks like Snickers, glucose etc. (Mandatory)

Ø Camera (optional)

Ø Shoes

Ø Sunscreen Lotion (Optional)

Ø Tissue papers (Avoid carrying plastic)

Krishnagiri Dam (KRP Dam)

Krishnagiri Reservoir Project (KRP Dam) is the prime attraction of Krishnagiri. This Dam is situated between Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri at a distance of 7 km from Krishnagiri town. It is built across Thenpennai River to meet the irrigation purpose of Krishnagiri. Krishnagiri Reservoir Project is also a popular picnic spot, as it has landscaped gardens and lush greenery.

This dam was dedicated to the state by the then Chief Minister K.Kamarajar in 1958 and irrigates nearly thousands of acres of land. It also supplies drinking water to Periyamuthur, Sundekuppam, Thimmapuram, Chowtahalli, Gundalapatti, Mittahalli, Errahalli, Kaveripattinam, Paiyur and other villages in Krishnagiri. To make it a tourist attraction and picnic spot, exotic landscaping and a children’s park maintained by the Public Works Department of the State are in place there. There is also an Agricultural Research Centre established in Krishnagiri. This is a famous tourist spot too. This dam is flooded with tourists week ends.during theThe River Ponnaiyar takes its source near Nandidurg in Karnataka state South India at an altitude of 1000 m above MSL draining through Southeastern slope of Chennakesava Hills. In Karnataka it is known as ‘Dhakshina Pinakini’. After traversing through the Devanahalli and Hoskote taluks of Karnataka, it enters the Tamil Nadu state at a place near Bagalur village of Hosur taluk. The River is called Ponnaiyar from this point in Tamil Nadu. The Krishnagiri reservoir was constructed across the Ponnaiyar River near Periyamuthur village about 7 km from Krishnagiri town in Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu. It is located at the latitude of 12º 28' North and the longitude of 78º 11' East. Krishnagiri district is in the Northwestern part of Tamil Nadu, bordering Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh states.